Brotherhood 02 - Broken Promise (16 page)

Sarah knew the instant they neared London. England’s rolling landscape and verdant meadows were behind them now. The bustling noises of crowds of people replaced the serenity of the country. She leaned out the window as the wheels of their carriage rumbled over the cobbled streets. The familiar assaulting smell of raw sewage burned her nose.

The city closed in on them as the streets narrowed and row upon row of brick buildings filled every available space that wasn’t teeming with masses of raggedy-dressed people. The sight of beggars and those struggling to eke out a living jarred Sarah. She’d been so involved, so intent on Jonathan when she’d first arrived in London that she hadn’t truly noted the poverty. Such destitution was something she’d never get used to.

“Every city has their poor,” Austin said from beside her. “There are poor even in the country.”

“Yes,” she agreed. “But not in such numbers.” She couldn’t pull her gaze from the window. “And not with such hopelessness written on their faces.”

He placed his hand over hers and the warmth from his touch seeped through her.

“More is being done to help the poor than ever before,” he continued, “but it’s never enough. And to be honest, many of those who live here don’t want to be helped. Living like this is the only life they know, and they don’t want change.”

Sarah turned. He wore a serious expression. He truly cared about people. “Is that why you do what you do?”

Furrow lines deepened across his forehead. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“Your work. Liddy said you’re with the Metropolitan Police Department.”

He relaxed against the corner of the carriage and watched out the window. “What else did Liddy say?”

“She said that your work takes you to the worst areas of the city more times than not. And that the Department gives you the most difficult cases because they know you will solve them.” His gaze didn’t shift from the view out the window and yet Sarah doubted he was looking at anything in particular. “Is it that you want to make sure the guilty go punished? Or that the innocent are avenged?”

He slowly turned and smiled at her. “And I thought Liddy was the most perceptive woman I’d ever met. I think, Miss Bentley, that you are her equal.”

Sarah couldn’t help but return his smile. “Thank you, Captain Landwell. I appreciate the compliment.” She waited and when he didn’t answer, she asked her question again. “So, which is it?”

His hearty laugh filled the carriage. “Remind me to tell Liddy that you are also one of the most persistent people I’ve ever met.”

“Because I won’t give up until you answer me?”

“Yes.”

He studied her for a few seconds then answered. “No one has the right to take an innocent life and go free so they can kill again. And no one is so insignificant that their death isn’t important.”

Sarah blinked. She admired him more in that moment than she thought possible, and the mere recognition of the feeling brought a niggling of confusion and self doubt within her. If finding the murderer of someone who meant nothing to him was important, how could he hand a child he’d held in his own arms over to someone who might want that child dead? Clearly, he could not. Unless he was truly convinced Penderly posed no threat.

The strength of his resolve seeped through her and she realized how confident he must be of Penderly’s innocence. She tried to keep his convictions from influencing her, but his assurance attacked her from every side. She suddenly felt Jonathan slipping from her grasp.

His darkening gaze studied her. “Does what I do bother you?”

She brought her attention back to their previous topic and shook her head. “What bothers me is the danger your work puts you in.”

“There’s not that much danger,” he said, but Sarah knew he shielded the truth. Liddy had told her the risks Austin took every day, and how worried she was that one day she’d get a letter informing her that he’d been killed.

But Sarah couldn’t tell him that. It was what he did, what he’d been trained to do. What he was
driven
to do. It would have to be his decision as to whether or not to do something less dangerous. It was not her place to influence him. All they’d shared were a few kisses—a few very powerful, precious kisses—but still…

She glanced at the scenery beyond the window. Ragged beggars no longer lined the streets. Instead, smartly dressed men and women wearing the latest fashions strolled down the walks. Beautiful town homes adorned by manicured lawns and colorful flower gardens replaced rundown shanties and shacks. Wrought-iron fences ran along the paved walks. Sarah was in awe. She hadn’t seen this area of London when she’d come here with Jonathan.

“Does your brother live close to here?” She was unable to shift her gaze from the homes as they passed them. She’d never seen anything so magnificent.

“Yes. Just a few streets from here. He lives at Etherhouse.”

“Oh,” she said, feeling like she’d stepped into a dream. “Is that where you grew up?”

“Here, and at our country estate.”

“Oh.” Sarah pulled her gaze from the sights out the window and sat back against the cushion. “Does he know we’re coming?”

“Yes.”

“I mean, does he know
I’m
coming? And why?”

“He knows I’m bringing a guest but he doesn’t know why. Your reason for coming wasn’t something I wanted to put in a letter.”

“No, I suppose not.” Sarah thought about that for a moment. “Will he mind?”

Austin smiled. “No, he won’t mind. In fact, having a guest will be good for him. Unless Harrison has changed—which I doubt—he’s been holed up in his office for days working on estate books and shipping records.”

“Liddy said he’s terribly busy.”

Austin turned his attention to the passing homes. “Harry has asked me to help him manage the estates. Gabe has offered me a similar position. I think they’re determined to force me into a new vocation.”

Sarah was surprised. “You would consider leaving London?”

“I wouldn’t have a year ago, or even a few months ago, but I find myself more inclined than ever to live out my life in the country.”

Sarah’s heart increased its pounding. She could envision Austin riding over the countryside, could picture him talking to the tenants…flirting with the local girls. Even marrying one of them.

She experienced a painful ache inside her breast. If he left London he would be lost to her. If he married, he would be gone from her forever. She didn’t want to be separated from him. She didn’t want him to live out his life away from her. “I can see you living in the country.”

“Can you?”

“Yes. You would fit well there.”

“Is that where you’re most content?”

“It’s all I know. It’s where I’m used to being.”

Their gazes locked and neither of them broke the connection. Only when the carriage slowed did he speak.

“We’re here,” he said.

A knot formed in her stomach and she looked out the window. She wasn’t ready for this to begin, but she had no choice.

Austin dismounted from the carriage as soon as a footman lowered the step. He held out his hand and she placed her fingers on his arm. “Go slow, Sarah. Your shoulder is bound to be sore after riding all day.”

She didn’t tell him it had passed being sore several hours ago. She allowed him to help her to the ground. He placed his arm around her waist to hold her steady, then escorted her to the house.

A tall, distinguished gentleman waited for them in the open doorway. His coloring was the opposite of Austin’s, his hair as dark as the color of his eyes. But his build was the same. So was the smile on his face. As soon as Austin was near, he clamped Austin’s shoulder then pulled him close.

“Welcome home, Austin. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Thanks, Harry. I’m glad, too.”

“Come in,” Austin’s brother said, stepping aside to allow them to enter. An austere-looking butler appeared to take Austin’s hat and gloves, then reached for hers.

“I’ll do that, Ruskins,” Austin interrupted, stepping behind her. “Easy, Sarah.”

He carefully lifted the cloak from around her shoulders and handed it to the butler.

Austin’s older brother lowered his gaze to Sarah’s bandaged shoulder then turned to the butler. “Ruskins, have Cook prepare a tea tray with some sandwiches.”

The butler scurried away and Etherington shifted a narrowed gaze in Austin’s direction. “Do I need to call for a doctor?” he asked her.

“No,” Austin answered, “but perhaps we could go somewhere private.”

“Of course.”

The Earl of Etherington led the way down a long hall. They stopped at the second door on the right and the earl opened the door. Sarah stepped inside and stopped. Her breath caught.

“Do you like it?” Etherington asked.

Bright sunshine streamed through the open windows showcasing the vivid shades of burgundy that decorated the room.

“It’s beautiful.”

“We call this the lilac room,” Etherington said. “Liddy named it when she was young. It was our mother’s favorite room and she filled it with lilac flowers the moment they bloomed. Father kept up the tradition after she was gone, and in early spring the smell of lilacs filled the whole house.”

Sarah imagined this room filled with flowers. It was easy to picture. “Oh, that must have been wonderful.”

“It was.”

The earl walked into the room and extended his hand toward an inviting grouping of chairs arranged perfectly for easy conversation. “Please, be seated. Then perhaps you’d like to make the introductions, Austin. And explain what’s happened. Your message was quite unclear.”

“Of course.” Austin led her to a floral settee and then stood beside her. “Harry, I’d like you to meet Miss Sarah Bentley.”

“Miss Bentley.”

“Miss Bentley, this is my brother, Harrison, Earl of Etherington.”

“Lord Etherington.”

Before they could speak, a maid entered carrying a tray with tea and pastries and small sandwiches. The maid poured the tea and placed the sweets and sandwiches within reach. While she was busy with the food, Lord Etherington walked to a side bar and filled two glasses from one of the crystal decanters sitting there. He handed one to Austin, then sat in a chair facing Sarah.

“Very well, Austin. I’m waiting.”

Austin took a long swallow of the liquid from his glass and settled into a chair near Sarah. “By that, I assume you mean you’d like an explanation as to why we’ve come here.”

“That will do for starters.”

Austin’s eyebrows shot upward.

“Then,” Lord Etherington continued, “perhaps you can explain what happened to Miss Bentley. And why you’ve chosen to include me in whatever you’re involved.”

“Do you object?”

Etherington held up his hand. “Not at all. I just prefer to know at the outset what’s required of me.”

Austin took a sip of the liquid in his glass then turned to Sarah. “Why don’t you explain what’s going on, Miss Bentley. I don’t want to be accused of biasing the facts.”

Sarah placed the cup and saucer on the table while her hand was steady enough to set down the china without spilling the tea. “Very well.”

Etherington relaxed into his chair as if settling in for a boring narration. He wore a serious expression, a look Sarah assumed was normal for him.

“First of all, would you care to explain how you were injured?”

Sarah took a deep breath. “I was shot.”

Etherington’s eyebrows arched and he glanced at his brother. “It’s one matter to place yourself in danger, Austin, but quite another to risk those around you.”

“Your brother had no hand in what happened, my lord,” she explained. “It was…another matter entirely.”

“Perhaps you’d care to explain, then, Miss Bentley.”

Sarah nodded, then spoke. “Until recently, I held a position with the late Viscount Fledgemont.”

Etherington’s arm halted while raising his glass and he focused his gaze on her.

“I was employed as an all-around maid for his wife.”

“He married her, then?” Etherington asked.

His remark stirred a defensive emotion and she answered him more caustically than she’d intended. “Yes, and they were very happy together.”

He lowered his glass. “I don’t doubt it, Miss Bentley. Fledgemont and I were friends—good friends. He died entirely too young.” Etherington turned to his brother. “Does Penderly know he married?”

Austin shook his head. “Nor does he know Lady Fledgemont is dead.”

Etherington’s features turned sad. “That’s unfortunate.”

“What’s unfortunate, my lord?” Sarah asked. She didn’t understand what he meant. “That the lady is dead, or that Lord Penderly doesn’t know about her death?”

Etherington shot her a scrutinizing look. “Are you insinuating that Lord Penderly wouldn’t want to know his son married?”

“I’m insinuating more than that, my lord. Much more. I’m stating for a fact my belief that Lord Penderly not only knows his son married, but that from that union a son was born. An infant he has tried to kill twice.”

Etherington rose to his feet and stared at her in disbelief.

Sarah regretted being so forward. Hadn’t her father always told her that words said in kindness accomplished much more than words spoken in bitterness?

“Do you know what you’re saying, Miss Bentley?” Etherington asked. His voice was tinged with sharp criticism.

“Yes. I know exactly what I’m saying. I apologize for my bluntness, but I am convinced Lord Penderly intends to kill his grandson.”

Sarah was tired of having to argue with everyone. Angry that no one believed that the mighty Lord Penderly could be behind the attempts on Jonathan’s life. Just once she wanted someone to consider that what she said might be possible, instead of looking at her like she was an inmate escaped from an institution for the insane.